Lydford: Village on Dartmoor’s western edge, of Saxon origin and medieval importance (castle ruins), now famous for its gorge (Nat. Trust, very beautiful walk by the River Lyd with pools, boulders and waterfalls, deep in woods). Two good food pubs, church, shop; trout/sea trout fishing in the Lyd; riding stables locally. Sea/beaches, about 25 miles, north or south coasts. Roadford Lake, 9 miles. Tavistock (market town), 5 miles. The amazing tor-top church at Brentor, 3 miles.

... 2 miles south-west of Lydford and 1 from its gorge, 400 yards of private farm-lane end at Burnville Farm, a lovely farmstead amid beech trees. It is on the side of a shallow stream-valley with supreme views of Dartmoor hills and tors, and to Brentor’s peak-top church, from almost anywhere on the 250 acre working farm (direct moor access from it). There are sheep, cattle, ponies, pigs, chickens, ornamental pheasants. You can go anywhere (owners) on the farm and help is most welcome. Stabling/grazing for your own ponies/horses, a pond (picnicking), with mallard, moorhen and usually Canada geese in spring; badgers and foxes about. Clay pigeon shooting and instruction, and mountain bikes (adults’ and children’s) by arrangement. Outdoor heated swimming pool (32’ x 16’ and 3’6 to 8’ deep, available 23 May to 13 Sept) and hard tennis court shared with owners. Fun badminton and volleyball. Games room ( size snooker table, table tennis, skittle alley) and well-equipped gym in a newly refurbished barn. Lovely walled vegetable garden. Fresh veg. available in season, and eggs. Golf and gliding, 2 miles.

For you to stay in are the original stone farmhouse (A121) or a large Victorian house (A122), 200 yards up the private lane, a converted coachhouse (A120), roughly midway between the two, or a converted barn (A51) a mile away. The extremely nice owners live nearby but out of sight and do B&B in their own house.

... also at Burnville Farm, the large Victorian house, called Guinea, has superb Dartmoor views from most windows. 200 yards from the farmhouse, farm buildings, and owners’ house, it stands above and set back from the private lane, with the lawn in front and gravelled patio (table/chairs, flower-tubs, brick barbecue) and another lawn behind all enclosed; you share the outdoor swimming pool, games room and gym, tennis court and all other facilities at the farm (see far left). Inside, very spacious with high ceilings, fine arched stripped-pine doors, mainly pine furniture. Porch; depth-of-house living room (open fire, CD player) with windows both ends; pretty dining room (cast iron Victorian open fireplace) with antique table seating 8 (intimately) and large toy box; big, well-equipped fitted kitchen (dishwasher, microwave, fridge-freezer) with dining/breakfast table seating 10, back door and porch to garden; downstairs bathroom (suite); also cloakroom (loo, washbasin, washing machine, tumble drier). Upstairs, five bedrooms two double (both with moor views), twin (washbasin, garden views), and two bunk bedrooms (garden/countryside views) and bathroom (suite plus hand-shower). Payphone.

We very much like this farm, the houses, whole atmosphere, and they have been much praised. Tremendous freedom and number of things to do for children and adults. Sumptuous evening meal menu. Excellent owners. Outdoor swimming pool available 25 May to 15 September.